For the 18th year in a row, Grand Valley State University has been named one of America’s 100 Best College Buys by Institutional Research and Evaluation, Inc. in Georgia.

Each year, Institutional Research identifies the 100 American colleges and universities providing students the very highest quality education at the lowest cost. Grand Valley has made the list far more times than any other Michigan institution; authors of the report say it is because of Grand Valley’s high academic performance coupled with its low cost. No other state public institution made the list.

To be considered for the designation, an institution must: • Be an accredited, four year institution • Offer full residential facilities • Have an entering freshman class in the fall of 2012 with a high school GPA and/or SAT/ACT equal to or above the national average for entering college freshmen • Out-of-state tuition in 2013-2014 below the national average or not exceeding the national average cost by more than 10 percent

The average GPA for incoming freshmen at Grand Valley for fall 2012 was 3.5, compared to the national average of 3.3, according to Institutional Research. The average ACT score for incoming freshmen at Grand Valley for fall 2012 was 24, compared to the national average of 23.

Grand Valley State University, one of the 100 largest universities in the nation, attracts more than 24,000 students with high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Grand Valley is a comprehensive university serving students from all 83 Michigan counties and dozens of other states and foreign countries. Grand Valley offers 82 undergraduate and 31 graduate degree programs from campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids and Holland, and from regional centers in Muskegon and Traverse City. The university is dedicated to individual student achievement, going beyond the traditional classroom experience, with research opportunities and business partnerships.